Republic Of Ireland 2-0 Portugal, FIFA WC '26 European Qualifiers: CR7 Sent Off As IRE Win

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected. The football superstar was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of a qualifying game Thursday that Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin. Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play.”

Updated on: 14 November 2025 11:30 am

World Cup Qualifier Soccer Match: Ireland vs Portugal

Ireland's Festy Ebosele and Ireland's Josh Cullen celebrate at the end of a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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World Cup Qualifier Soccer Match: Portugal vs Ireland

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Ireland vs Portugal

Portugal's Rafael Leao, top, duels for the ball with Ireland's Seamus Coleman during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Portugal vs Ireland

Ireland fans celebrate at the end of a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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FIFA World Cup Qualifier Soccer Match: Ireland vs Portugal

Ireland's Troy Parrott (7) scores the opening goal during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Liam McBurney/PA via AP

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FIFA World Cup Qualifier Soccer Match: Portugal vs Ireland

Ireland's Liam Scales, right, tries to block a shot from Portugal's Nelson Semedo, center, during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Ireland vs Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Niall Carson/PA via AP

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FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Portugal vs Ireland

Portugal's Joao Felix, top, duels for the ball with Ireland's Seamus Coleman during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Ireland vs Portugal

Portugal's Nelson Semedo, left, and Republic of Ireland's Finn Azaz in action during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: Niall Carson/PA via AP

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FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Portugal vs Ireland

Ireland's Jack Taylor, right, duels for the ball with Portugal's Joao Neves during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Portugal in Dublin. | Photo: AP/Peter Morrison